Saudi Arabia’s official team plane catches fire midair

  • Flames were spotted coming out of the engine shortly after take off today
  • Russian Airlines Airbus A319-100 safely landed in Rostov on Don Airport 
  • Saudi Football Federation described incident as ‘minor technical malfunction’

The plane carrying the Saudi Arabian football team to their next World Cup match caught fire after take off in Russia.   

Flames were spotted coming out of the engine before the plane safely landed in Rostov. The team are set to play Uruguay there on Wednesday.

No one was hurt in the terrifying incident earlier this evening.

An official statement from the football association said: ‘The Saudi Football Federation wishes to reassure everyone about the safety of all members of the mission of the national team after a minor technical malfunction in an engine.

Photographs from Twitter showed flames coming from the engine after take off

‘The plane landed a few minutes ago at Rostov on Don Airport, and UNOMIG personnel are now safely heading to their residence.’

Photographs on Twitter show flames seen from the window on the Russian Airlines Airbus A319-100.

The players have since left the jet and made the way to their hotel. 

No one was hurt in the terrifying incident earlier this evening. The players have since left the plane and made their way back to their hotel

No one was hurt in the terrifying incident earlier this evening. The players have since left the plane and made their way back to their hotel

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